Smith. — On Changes in Level of Coast Line in North Island. 405 



Kaipara they are more numerous and extensive still. The low-lying 

 swampy flats on the AVairoa Kiver, south of Tokatoka, elevated but little 

 above tidal flow, are bounded to the east by a distinct old coast line, which, 

 in its southerly extension towards Otamatea, shows signs of having been 

 an ocean coast hne before the barriers of consolidated sand-hills forming 

 the north and south Kaipara heads were in existence. The origin of these, 

 however, dates further back than since the 15 feet elevation. 



Manukau has its raised beaches, as also its signs of local depression as 

 demonstrated by the tree trunks standing in places now washed by the tide, 

 Hockstetter, describing the long, low strip of sandy waste lying outside the 

 north head of Manukau, says : — " Behind the sandy beach basins of fresh 

 water are frequently found, and at the base of the rocks deep caves are seen 

 washed out, in the back ground of which generally large masses of boulders 

 are deposited. This would indicate a former period, when the siurge washed 

 the rocks themselves and piled up those masses." Captain Hutton, also 

 speaking of the north head, says : — " On the inner or eastern side of 

 Paretutai the cliff is being undermined or worn away at low water-mark, 

 while at high water-mark, or at a little above it, another and older under- 

 mining of the sea can be observed forming a terrace, the difference of height 

 between the two being about 10 feet, showing that the land has risen that 

 distance since the higher one was formed. This closely corresponds to the 

 height of the raised beach at the Thames, on which Shortland and 

 Grahamstown are built. On the outer or western side of Paretutai a 

 similar terracing exists." * * * I would add that this inner terrace 

 now forms a most convenient natural wharf for shipping the timber from 

 the Whatipu saw-mills. 



To one standmg on the bald hills near Mauku, and looking over the 

 swampy tract lying between there and the Waikato heads, the steep hills 

 abruptly terminating in the swamp, with their indented and sweeping 

 contour line, present the appearance of a well-worn coast Ime from which 

 the sea has receded, leaving the former bay to be filled with alluvium before 

 the river cut its way down to its present level. Hockstetter says, in re- 

 ference to the mouth of the Waikato: — "It is remarkable that at the 

 mouth of the Waikato there is not an estuary similar to that at Manukau, 

 Kaipara, and Hokianga in the north, or as at Whaingaroa, Aotea, and 

 Kawhia in the south. With regard to this point, I have repeatedly heard 

 the opinion expressed that the Waikato Eiver had formerly emptied into 

 the Manukau, and that its present mouth is comparatively of recent date ; 

 yet I cannot corroborate this opinion. I believe myself right in assuming 

 that the river also had in former periods a similar estuary, and that the 

 extensive swamps beginning two miles from the mouth and now partly 



